OFFICE OF YOUTH MINISTRY

DIOCESE OF PALM BEACH

Suggested guidelines for hiring a parish youth minister:

This document is presented to assist pastors and parish personnel in the task of hiring a person to fulfill the duties of Youth Ministry in a parish. The following are suggested guidelines to help the parish clarify their objectives and programs in the light of Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCB/USCC). The philosophy of youth ministry that is outlined in that paper reflects the emergence of a relational, holistic, developmental, ministerial, pastoral, goal-centered, multi-dimensional approach to youth ministry, one that depends upon the harmonious collaboration of many individuals, agencies, and youth themselves.

Both Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry and this document are based on several important assumptions, which should be emphasized.

· First, effective youth ministry requires regular communication and cooperation between the pastor, parish council, and the parish youth minister, as well as, other parish organizations and organizations within the community.

· Secondly, the church’s ministry to youth should be comprehensive and well coordinated. One or another component of youth ministry should not be developed to the exclusion of others; rather each component is essential and requires an appropriate response.

· Third, the primary agent of youth ministry is the parish community. It is in the parish community that youth learn, worship, serve and celebrate. The role of the parish youth minister consists largely of providing programs and activities that will foster opportunities for youth to be involved in the life, mission and work of the parish faith community.

· The parish youth minister maintains an open dialogue with other religious educators, with the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adults, and collaborates in methods of religious education such as retreats, youth ministry workshops, leadership training, etc.

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